My Lord Immortality (Immortal Rogues #3)(10)

"Yes, perhaps that would be for the best," she readily agreed. "Good day, sir."

He dipped his head. "Good day."

Resisting the ridiculous urge to reach out and keep her from leaving his side, Sebastian watched in silence as she slowly made her way the short distance down the alley and turned into the corner of her garden. Even from a distance he could feel the lingering anxiety that he had been unable to appease. He could feel it as sharply as if it were a part of himself.

A part of him desired to follow and wrap her in his arms so he could assure her that nothing would happen to her as long as he was near. Another part, however, urged him to return to his home and attempt to regain a measure of detachment. Nothing could be served by allowing his suddenly awakened emotions to cloud his wits.

Waiting until he was certain she was safely inside her house, Sebastian slowly turned to make his way back down the lane. He had a great deal to consider. Not the least of which was how he intended to put an end to Drake's threat.

Lost in thought, Sebastian had just passed the abandoned stables when he came to a sudden halt. Although there was nothing to be heard or seen, his senses alerted him that he was no longer alone.

With a fluid stealth, he had slipped his hand beneath his coat to grasp the hilt of his deadly dagger. Only then did he step forward to confront the lurking intruder.

"Who goes there?" he demanded in low tones. "Reveal yourself."

There was a sudden rustle among the leaves of a nearby hedge before a large, awkward form abruptly lumbered into the lane clutching a black cat.

"Me. Me."

Sebastian's tension eased as he replaced the dagger back into his hidden pocket. His expression, however, remained hard with annoyance.

"William." His brows drew together in a threatening motion. "What the devil are you doing here?"

Obviously impervious to Sebastian's dark temper, the young gentleman smiled with a sweet happiness.

"Nice man."

Sebastian's frown only deepened. "You do know that your sister believes you to be safely eating breakfast? She will be sick with worry when she discovers that you are missing once

again."

William merely pointed toward the hedge. "Cats."

"Yes, I know about your damnable cats," he growled. Although he possessed compassion for the young man, the knowledge that he was so willing to lure his sister into danger was enough to set his teeth on edge. He did not doubt for a moment that Miss Hadwell would soon be scouring the streets in search of her missing brother. "What am I to do with you?"

"Me?" William wrinkled his brow. "Me, William."

"You should be at home. Did you not promise your sister to remain there?"

A familiar stubborn expression settled on the round face. "Cats."

"Blessed Nefri." Sebastian sucked in a deep breath. With an effort he calmed his rising temper. This man was a child at heart. He could not bully nor threaten him. All he could do was attempt to prevent him from leading his sister into disaster. "You are obviously determined to be with those mangy kittens regardless of the danger to your sister."

His smile returned. "Milly, nice."

"Milly?" Sebastian was briefly caught off guard. "Ah, Amelia. Yes, she is nice. Far too nice."

"Nice man."

"You are wide of the mark there, my boy," Sebastian retorted in dry tones.

William frowned. "No. Nice man."

"Blast it all." Giving a shake of his head, Sebastian surrendered to the inevitable. William was determined to be with his cats. There was only one certain means of ensuring that Miss Hadwell was not spending her nights in the dark and dangerous alley. "Get your blasted kittens."

"Cats?"

"Yes. We will take them to my home. At least then you will not be roaming the lanes and your sister will not be placed in such danger."

The frown disappeared as if by magic and the dark eyes abruptly glowed with pleasure.

"Nice, nice man," William chattered, hurriedly turning to pile the kittens in his large arms.

Sebastian suppressed a shiver. His aging housekeeper would no doubt desire his head upon a platter when she discovered his latest houseguests, if she did not simply walk out. And his privacy would be in constant danger with William wandering in and out of his home.

Still, he would do whatever was necessary to keep Miss Hadwell from Drake's clutches.

No, he sternly reminded himself. Not Miss Hadwell, but the Medallion. It was the Medallion that was important.

He heaved a heavy sigh.

"No, not a nice man," he muttered. "Merely a man who wishes he was back among the peace of his books. Now bring your cats along before I come to my senses."

Chapter Three

Amelia endured yet another sleepless night.

On this occasion, it was not the formless shadow nor the impending sense of danger that kept her pacing the floor of her bedchamber. At least not directly.

Instead it had been the memories of Mr. St. Ives that had haunted her thoughts.

Why did he disturb her so?

He was beautiful, of course. Perhaps the most beautiful man she had ever encountered. More than once she had discovered her gaze lingering upon his pale, elegant features as if she were a moonstruck idiot rather than a sensible woman.

And when he had touched her . . . well, she could not deny that he had made her heart trip and caused the most peculiar sensations to rush through her body.